A luau of fun at North Huron

TRACI ANDERSON

Published 8:00 pm, Sunday, April 10, 2005

The children, with the help of their teachers Evelyn Conkright and Tammy Clancy, celebrated Hawaii Day in grand fashion. The classrooms were transformed to look like an island paradise with colorful suns, fish, and other decorations hanging from the ceiling and other Hawaiian-themed decorations hanging on each wall. Adorned in beachwear and tropical outfits, the students first had to go through "security" and board a "plane," which in reality was a group of tables arranged to look like a plane. One of the students had the opportunity to be the pilot.

Once they landed in Hawaii, they took a tour of the many sights of Hawaii, did some hula dancing, and took in some surfing on paper surf boards they made themselves. They also had a luau where they enjoyed crackers shaped like goldfish and whales, kiwi, apricots, pineapple, and fruit juice. During their trip, Conkright's students had the opportunity to see and touch a fuzzy coconut and smell the milk inside of it, which some didn't particularly care for. Conkright asked students if they knew what was inside of a coconut.

"Coconut liquid," one student said.

Before venturing on their trip, kindergartners learned the 12-letter Hawaiian alphabet and learned a variety of Hawaiian words. While on their voyage, they used their knowledge of the language as much as possible.

After the luau, the children once again went through "security" and boarded their plane. Many asked if they could come back to Hawaii later on. One student asked when the class was really going to visit Hawaii.

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Conkright said Hawaii Day was started by former teacher Marcia Copeland at least 12 years ago. It's been a strong tradition at the school and students remember their Hawaii Day experience for many years to come.

"The big thing they remember is the plane ride," Conkright said, noting that those students who get to be the pilot have especially happy memories.